Jeff Fisher: Good coach or not? (1 Viewer)

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

It seems like the general consensus in the sports media is that Fisher is a great coach, that he'd be snapped up in 3 seconds if the Titans were to let him go. I don't buy it. Good? Yes. Great coach that you just can't let go? No.

Sometimes, it just isn't working anymore and that is what is happening in Tennessee.

Is he a top notch coach? Why or why not?

 

[David Yudkin]

He's led TEN to the playoffs 6 times and has a .544 winning percentage. They had 3 years with 13 wins and another with 12. That's a decent track record.

However, I am not so sure he is in a good situation and it might be best for the organization to move on. That might get the Titans out of the duldrums. And another franchise would likely snatch him up right away, as he would be a better option than what they had at headcoach. Bill Parcells was a coach that was usually a better coach than the guy that replaced him, but he moved around all the time. Getting fired or switching teams doesn't mean someone is a bad coach, and keeping the same coach for years doesn't always mean that's best for the team either.

 

[spider321]

Don't forget, he never wanted Vince Young in the first place.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

I'm like 90% sure that people think Fisher is a great coach because of his mustache

 

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

Don't forget, he never wanted Vince Young in the first place.

Yeah, he wanted Leinart. That worked out great.

 

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

Easy to vote "upper echelon" if you don't have to give reasons why.

EXPLAIN

I think that is a very ill-informed conclusion.

 

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

He's led TEN to the playoffs 6 times and has a .544 winning percentage. They had 3 years with 13 wins and another with 12. That's a decent track record.However, I am not so sure he is in a good situation and it might be best for the organization to move on. That might get the Titans out of the duldrums. And another franchise would likely snatch him up right away, as he would be a better option than what they had at headcoach. Bill Parcells was a coach that was usually a better coach than the guy that replaced him, but he moved around all the time. Getting fired or switching teams doesn't mean someone is a bad coach, and keeping the same coach for years doesn't always mean that's best for the team either.

I think it would be best for him and for the Titans if they part ways.However, consider:-- they have 6 game losing streaks in back to back years-- they have had at least a 5 game losing streak in 5 of the last 7 years-- much of their problem has been personnel related...and Fisher has final say over the 53-- they've not won a playoff game since 2003-- except for the Super Bowl season, they've only been better than 1 and out in ANY playoff year.

 

[Jason Wood]

I think there are ultimately very few elite coaches so I can't give a guy with a 544 win rate that moniker unless he's had a run that also featured some dominant championship teams. I often find myself comparing him to Andy Reid in that it seems like many are quick to dismiss Andys accomplishments yet are equally ready to include Fisher as one of the guys they think are better. As a Reid fan, thats always baffled me and looks even more absurd of late IMHO.

That said, I do think he's one of the better coaches below the elite group and would think he's as capable of building a winning franchise as almost anyone else likely to be available for hire this year.

 

[RnR]

...and Fisher has final say over the 53

So VY is still rostered why?... I'll hang up and listen.PS- Who are we bringing to Nashville to take his place?

 

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

...and Fisher has final say over the 53

So VY is still rostered why?... I'll hang up and listen.PS- Who are we bringing to Nashville to take his place?

Ok, except for VY.But...cutting Blount, drafting Pacman, Paul Williams, Chris Henry, not having a punt returner on roster last year, yada yada yada.

 

[spider321]

Don't forget, he never wanted Vince Young in the first place.

Yeah, he wanted Leinart. That worked out great.

So how did Leinart do with Norm Chow in Tennessee?

 

[Sam Quentin]

Don't forget, he never wanted Vince Young in the first place.

Yeah, he wanted Leinart. That worked out great.

So how did Leinart do with Norm Chow in Tennessee?

I bet Arizona is regretting that move...

 

[spider321]

Norm Chow may have been able to make something out of Leinart.

It's a big "may", but we know Young has the learning capacity of a rock.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Above average, but needs to move to another franchise.

 

[pizzatyme]

As a Colts fan, I feel I'm as good as anyone to judge Fisher. I can honestly say there are only 2 coaches I feared facing, Fisher and Belichick.

I would trade Fisher for Dungy, Caldwell, and any other coach out there currently besides Payton.

I can only imagine things would have been different these last 10 years with Fisher.

Part of his .544% comes from facing Manning and the Colts twice per year.

Elite Coach with average to above average QB play.

Name 1 elite coach with that combo?!

 

[Todem]

I would hire him in a nano second if he was available.

 

[Shutout]

You don't coach this long with this type of track record for this long without being a very good coach.

He's even keeled, always seems to be professional, consistent, and to the the point.

He's had the misfortune of coaching in a division and conference with some absolutely beastly teams in the past decade (Pats, colts, Steelers, etc)...lots of teams with long trackrecords of sustained success.

Add all that to the fact that he just simply always seems to get the most out of what is otherwise HO HUM talent and I think he is easily a top coach in the league and teams would be lucky to have him.

 

[Adebisi]

I've changed my mind about Fisher lately. I think he's a very, very, very good coach, but not a great coach. He's most definitely one of the better coaches in the league right now, and Tennessee would be hard-pressed to replace him with someone better. But I think a change would be best for both sides at this point.

 

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

I think it would be best for him and for the Titans if they part ways.However, consider:-- they have 6 game losing streaks in back to back years-- they have had at least a 5 game losing streak in 5 of the last 7 years-- much of their problem has been personnel related...and Fisher has final say over the 53-- they've not won a playoff game since 2003-- except for the Super Bowl season (2000 SB), they've only been better than 1 and out in ANY playoff year.

If I described an unnamed coach with the facts above...would you say that unnamed coach is a great coach?

 

[Jason Wood]

I think it would be best for him and for the Titans if they part ways.However, consider:-- they have 6 game losing streaks in back to back years-- they have had at least a 5 game losing streak in 5 of the last 7 years-- much of their problem has been personnel related...and Fisher has final say over the 53-- they've not won a playoff game since 2003-- except for the Super Bowl season (2000 SB), they've only been better than 1 and out in ANY playoff year.

If I described an unnamed coach with the facts above...would you say that unnamed coach is a great coach?

1) I'm not seeing too many people call him a great coach. I see lots saying he's a very good coach, which to my mind is quite different2) In a vacuum, that picture looks grim. But you could also play the game the other wayBut being totally honest, Fisher has been .500 or worse in 11 of 17 seasons. That's worse than I thought, and does beg for more scrutiny than I think he generally gets.

 

[guderian]

He's coached 16 full NFL seasons. He's made the playoffs 6 times. He was AFC Champion once. There are 16 teams in the AFC, 6 make the playoffs and one wins the AFC championship. So, mathematically his 'successes' can be attributed to normal volatility for an average coach. He's only won more than one playoff game in one season and that was back in 1999. In my opinion, he's an average coach who merely had a span of success during 1999-2003 and he built a reputation on that.

That said, I think he would see more success if he took a year off and changed scenery.

 

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

Frankly, I think he is too stubborn to coach in today's NFL. Seriously.

 

[jackdubl]

As a Colts fan, I feel I'm as good as anyone to judge Fisher. I can honestly say there are only 2 coaches I feared facing, Fisher and Belichick.

I would trade Fisher for Dungy, Caldwell, and any other coach out there currently besides Payton.

I can only imagine things would have been different these last 10 years with Fisher.

Part of his .544% comes from facing Manning and the Colts twice per year.

Elite Coach with average to above average QB play.

Name 1 elite coach with that combo?!

Andy Reid the last few years.

 

[todisco1]

I think he's somewhere between "above average" and "very good," but closer to "above average."

 

[FreeBaGeL]

How many coaches go 7 years without a playoff win and still have a job? How many go that long without a playoff win and are still considered "great"?

I don't get it with Fisher. Guys have been fired for doing a lot more than he has.

 

[valhallan]

I used to like Fisher, but the Cortland Finnegan fight and the cheapshots his teams seem to take, in addition to his struggles with Young and Haynesworth, just make me wonder if he's really as in control as we're led to believe. Either way, he's been there too long and it's obvious both sides would benefit from moving on.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

...and Fisher has final say over the 53

So VY is still rostered why?... I'll hang up and listen.PS- Who are we bringing to Nashville to take his place?

Ok, except for VY.But...cutting Blount, drafting Pacman, Paul Williams, Chris Henry, not having a punt returner on roster last year, yada yada yada.

If you're going to be upset with a coach because a 3rd round pick busts than your expectations are too high to begin with. If you're saying he makes all personnel decisions, he's also drafted Chris Johnson, Stephen Tulloch, Michael Griffin, Cortland Finnegan, Kenny Britt, etc and Marc Mariani seemed to fix that punt returner problem making the pro bowl in his rookie season as a 7th round pick. Looking back at Titans past drafts, they seem to do a pretty good job of drafting defensive players, but they really struggle with offensive skill position players. Though that may be changing with CJ, Britt, and Cook in recent years.

So who is this head coach out there who is clearly superior head coach out there that the Titans should replace Fisher with?

 

[Claydon]

Gotta keep Fish and get rid of Young.

 

[vandyt]

Titans fan here hoping both Fisher and Young are gone.

VY can't be counted on to lead the team.

Fisher is a great coach, but I don't see his relationship working out with Adams any longer. A change in regimes would probably be for the best.

Lets give Gregg Williams another shot.

 

[Summer Wheat]

Does Fish have control of the draft?

 

[Mr. Mojo]

I always respected his ability to get the most out of his players but the end of this season makes me question whether he lost his players.

 

[Ghost Rider]

How many coaches go 7 years without a playoff win and still have a job? How many go that long without a playoff win and are still considered "great"?I don't get it with Fisher. Guys have been fired for doing a lot more than he has.

He is a good coach, but that it is. Good coach. Not great. And highly overrated by the media, who all seem to bow at his feet like he is the second coming.

 

[abe froman]

Welcome to CLE Fisher!.. As someone else pointed out the fact the TEN hasnt done all that well in the playoffs has more to do with Colts than TEN/Fisher. Great Def but the offense still has holes including right at the top playing QB(when he's not busy leaning over rooftops). What about Bud Adams? Can we put a little blame his way? Another Jerry Jones/ Al Davis type who cannot let their office do their jobs.

 

[ffball-novice]

I used to like Fisher, but the Cortland Finnegan fight and the cheapshots his teams seem to take, in addition to his struggles with Young and Haynesworth, just make me wonder if he's really as in control as we're led to believe. Either way, he's been there too long and it's obvious both sides would benefit from moving on.

Yesterday during the game after a Tenn player took a stupid unsportsmanlike penalty. They put up a graphic that Titans were most penalized team in league. Giving away yards has to be a sign of coaching.Over the last years I have down rated my opinion of his coaching as the team seems less prepared than others. That said I voted above average in the poll and think they are more likely to slip in coaching quality than improve.

 

[Fensalk]

An informal poll of NFL circles put Bill Belichick and Jeff Fisher as the two best head coaches when it comes to clock management. Jeff Fisher has multiple playoff appearances and a conference title. I will put him in "really good" category.

 

[Fensalk]

I would put Fisher above Reid, because Reid is horrible at clock management.

 

[Fensalk]

He's coached 16 full NFL seasons. He's made the playoffs 6 times. He was AFC Champion once. There are 16 teams in the AFC, 6 make the playoffs and one wins the AFC championship. So, mathematically his 'successes' can be attributed to normal volatility for an average coach. He's only won more than one playoff game in one season and that was back in 1999. In my opinion, he's an average coach who merely had a span of success during 1999-2003 and he built a reputation on that. That said, I think he would see more success if he took a year off and changed scenery.

I think he'd have more success if he had a franchise QB.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I would put Fisher above Reid, because Reid is horrible at clock management.

And yet Reid does a better job than Fisher pretty much every year. I think putting Fisher on the same level as Reid is ridiculous. Reid's clock management might be a bit curious at times, but the guy is almost always in the playoffs, and almost always wins a game or two.

 

[Fensalk]

I would put Fisher above Reid, because Reid is horrible at clock management.

And yet Reid does a better job than Fisher pretty much every year. I think putting Fisher on the same level as Reid is ridiculous. Reid's clock management might be a bit curious at times, but the guy is almost always in the playoffs, and almost always wins a game or two.

Reid has had a much better QB than Fisher every year too.

 

[Tanner9919]

He's led TEN to the playoffs 6 times and has a .544 winning percentage. They had 3 years with 13 wins and another with 12. That's a decent track record.

However, I am not so sure he is in a good situation and it might be best for the organization to move on. That might get the Titans out of the duldrums. And another franchise would likely snatch him up right away, as he would be a better option than what they had at headcoach. Bill Parcells was a coach that was usually a better coach than the guy that replaced him, but he moved around all the time. Getting fired or switching teams doesn't mean someone is a bad coach, and keeping the same coach for years doesn't always mean that's best for the team either.

I think it would be best for him and for the Titans if they part ways.However, consider:

-- they have 6 game losing streaks in back to back years

-- they have had at least a 5 game losing streak in 5 of the last 7 years

-- much of their problem has been personnel related...and Fisher has final say over the 53

-- they've not won a playoff game since 2003

-- except for the Super Bowl season, they've only been better than 1 and out in ANY playoff year.

and likely they go to another SB the season they went 13-3 ( 2008), if not for a costly fumble by A. Cumpler at the 7 yard line with 9 mins remaining that would have given the Titans the lead, 14-13..they have one of the cheapest owners in the NFL, they didn't pay Haynesworth who was the centerpeice of their defense,

they have no name WR's and ho-hum players at key positions ( Kerry Collins, N. Washington, Britt)

Fisher has had very little to work with, and has coached in the AFC South, a div dominated by Manning's all-time great seasons over the past 5-7 years....

put Fisher on a team that has at least some talent, and he'll be a lights-out coach...imagine Fisher coaching the Raiders..wow..improving defense, road-grader offensive line, explosive RB in McFadden and Bush, speed to kill at the WR position..

 

[Todem]

I would put Fisher above Reid, because Reid is horrible at clock management.

As well as in game adjustments. EG The Vikings game 2 weeks ago. Awful.Bottom line, coaching is overrated.If you don't have he horses your dead meat. Coaches are only as good as their talent allows them to be.Yeah some coaches get the most out of a bad or average situation...and that is what Fisher has done so many times. And when Fisher has had top notch talent he has been a winner. When he had McNair who was a fine leader and good to great NFL QB he was winning.It is all relative.Fire him please so the Dolphins can hire him. I like Tony but Fisher is a far better head coach in this league.

 

[Todem]

He's led TEN to the playoffs 6 times and has a .544 winning percentage. They had 3 years with 13 wins and another with 12. That's a decent track record.

However, I am not so sure he is in a good situation and it might be best for the organization to move on. That might get the Titans out of the duldrums. And another franchise would likely snatch him up right away, as he would be a better option than what they had at headcoach. Bill Parcells was a coach that was usually a better coach than the guy that replaced him, but he moved around all the time. Getting fired or switching teams doesn't mean someone is a bad coach, and keeping the same coach for years doesn't always mean that's best for the team either.

I think it would be best for him and for the Titans if they part ways.However, consider:

-- they have 6 game losing streaks in back to back years

-- they have had at least a 5 game losing streak in 5 of the last 7 years

-- much of their problem has been personnel related...and Fisher has final say over the 53

-- they've not won a playoff game since 2003

-- except for the Super Bowl season, they've only been better than 1 and out in ANY playoff year.

and likely they go to another SB the season they went 13-3 ( 2008), if not for a costly fumble by A. Cumpler at the 7 yard line with 9 mins remaining that would have given the Titans the lead, 14-13..they have one of the cheapest owners in the NFL, they didn't pay Haynesworth who was the centerpeice of their defense,

they have no name WR's and ho-hum players at key positions ( Kerry Collins, N. Washington, Britt)

Fisher has had very little to work with, and has coached in the AFC South, a div dominated by Manning's all-time great seasons over the past 5-7 years....

put Fisher on a team that has at least some talent, and he'll be a lights-out coach...imagine Fisher coaching the Raiders..wow..improving defense, road-grader offensive line, explosive RB in McFadden and Bush, speed to kill at the WR position..

Spot on.

It's all about talent.

 

[Jason Wood]

I would put Fisher above Reid, because Reid is horrible at clock management.

There's almost no measure you can point to that argues in favor of Fisher. Reid has a much better winning percentage, more winning seasons, more playoff wins, a better playoff win rate. But yeah, let's give Fisher credit for "clock management" even though he has six WINNING seasons in 16 and a half years in the league.

I would put Fisher above Reid, because Reid is horrible at clock management.

And yet Reid does a better job than Fisher pretty much every year. I think putting Fisher on the same level as Reid is ridiculous. Reid's clock management might be a bit curious at times, but the guy is almost always in the playoffs, and almost always wins a game or two.

Reid has had a much better QB than Fisher every year too.

1) Andy is a QB coach by trade, and he handpicked McNabb, so he LOSES points for that? 2) The Eagles have a great record when backup QBs are in the lineup3) Steve McNair won an NFL MVP award, McNabb hasn't

 

[Don Quixote]

Surprised that I'm one of only a few to vote Fisher "Below Average." Below average to me means that there are 16 coaches who I'd take as HC over Fisher. I think there are.

 

[shader]

I've watched him for his entire career. Here are my thoughts:

1. He is a TERRIBLE GM/personnel decision maker.

2. He is VERY reluctant to go to rookies sometimes, sticking with veterans longer than most fans think he should.

3. He holds onto poor assistants for too long, and doesn't shake things up enough.

However,

He is a very good coach when you give him the talent...USUALLY.

2010 was a poor year, and the first time I remember a team quitting on him, but then just when you thought they were done, they almost pulled off a shocker and beat the Colts.

I think he's been here too long and things have gotten stale. Something needs to change. Force him to axe all his assistants and start over?

He reminds me of Bill Cowher BEFORE Cowher got his one ring. Many Steeler fans said the same things about Cowher as Titans fans do about Fisher.

Fisher almost won a super bowl, is a solid coach, and will win a super bowl one day.

 

[guderian]

I would put Fisher above Reid, because Reid is horrible at clock management.

Andy Reid--62% winning percentage, playoffs in 8 of 12 years, won a playoff game in 7 of 12 years, 10/18 record in the playoffs.Jeff Fisher--54% winning percentage, playoffs in 6 of 16 years, won a playoff game in 3 of 16 years, 5/11 record in playoffs.

 

[shader]

I would put Fisher above Reid, because Reid is horrible at clock management.

Andy Reid--62% winning percentage, playoffs in 8 of 12 years, won a playoff game in 7 of 12 years, 10/18 record in the playoffs.Jeff Fisher--54% winning percentage, playoffs in 6 of 16 years, won a playoff game in 3 of 16 years, 5/11 record in playoffs.

I wouldn't necessarily use that. The Eagles seem to me to be much better at talent evaluation than the Titans. Also, they had a great QB for most of Reid's career. Fisher was great when he had McNair. When he lost McNair, he's been average.Bottom line is that a coach needs a QB to win consistently.

 

[Jason Wood]

I would put Fisher above Reid, because Reid is horrible at clock management.

Andy Reid--62% winning percentage, playoffs in 8 of 12 years, won a playoff game in 7 of 12 years, 10/18 record in the playoffs.Jeff Fisher--54% winning percentage, playoffs in 6 of 16 years, won a playoff game in 3 of 16 years, 5/11 record in playoffs.

I wouldn't necessarily use that. The Eagles seem to me to be much better at talent evaluation than the Titans. Also, they had a great QB for most of Reid's career. Fisher was great when he had McNair. When he lost McNair, he's been average.Bottom line is that a coach needs a QB to win consistently.

You wouldn't necessarily use win rate, playoff win rate, playoff appearances, conference championship games or division titles? Ah yes, but let's use the "who had the better QB for longer" argument. Fisher has had 6 winning seasons in 16 full years as head coach. He's had three different starting QBs in those six winning seasons: McNair, Kerry Collins and Vince Young.

 

[Sam Quentin]

I would put Fisher above Reid, because Reid is horrible at clock management.

Andy Reid--62% winning percentage, playoffs in 8 of 12 years, won a playoff game in 7 of 12 years, 10/18 record in the playoffs.Jeff Fisher--54% winning percentage, playoffs in 6 of 16 years, won a playoff game in 3 of 16 years, 5/11 record in playoffs.

I wouldn't necessarily use that. The Eagles seem to me to be much better at talent evaluation than the Titans. Also, they had a great QB for most of Reid's career. Fisher was great when he had McNair. When he lost McNair, he's been average.Bottom line is that a coach needs a QB to win consistently.

You wouldn't necessarily use win rate, playoff win rate, playoff appearances, conference championship games or division titles? Ah yes, but let's use the "who had the better QB for longer" argument. Fisher has had 6 winning seasons in 16 full years as head coach. He's had three different starting QBs in those six winning seasons: McNair, Kerry Collins and Vince Young.

I'm sure one could find a correlation between win pct and qb rating. Then it's a matter of cause and effectBill Belichek had little success pre-BradyLook at the AZ Cards minus Warner

 

[guderian]

I would put Fisher above Reid, because Reid is horrible at clock management.

Andy Reid--62% winning percentage, playoffs in 8 of 12 years, won a playoff game in 7 of 12 years, 10/18 record in the playoffs.Jeff Fisher--54% winning percentage, playoffs in 6 of 16 years, won a playoff game in 3 of 16 years, 5/11 record in playoffs.

I wouldn't necessarily use that. The Eagles seem to me to be much better at talent evaluation than the Titans. Also, they had a great QB for most of Reid's career. Fisher was great when he had McNair. When he lost McNair, he's been average.Bottom line is that a coach needs a QB to win consistently.

McNabb had a career QB rating of 86 while in Philadelphia. McNair had a rating of 82 in Tennessee and Collins/Young have been in the 75/76 range, but Young's progression is very similar to McNabb's and Young's was 83 in 2009 and 99 this year. Those differences don't explain the difference between 10 playoff wins in 12 years versus 5 in 16 years. Furthermore, Reid picked McNabb whereas Fisher wanted to draft Leinart.